BJP Saved Bengal From Turning Into 'Western Bangladesh', Says Newly Sworn-In Minister Agnimitra Paul

Last Updated:May 09, 2026, 16:56 IST

Newly-appointed Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul accused Mamata Banerjee and her TMC of engaging in appeasement politics for the "Jamaat and the Muslim community."

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul, who was sworn in as a minister in the new West Bengal cabinet on Saturday, said the party marked the fulfilment of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s vision with a historic victory and prevented the state from turning into “Western Bangladesh".

Her remarks came shortly after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of the first BJP-led government in West Bengal, along with five members of the state Council of Ministers – including Dilip Ghosh, Paul and Nisith Pramanik.

Speaking to IANS, Paul became emotional while describing the party’s struggle and the political violence faced by BJP workers under Mamata Banerjee’s rule. “I still can’t believe the struggle that we have faced, the 23 police cases, the insults, the harassment, not letting us work, beating our workers, raping them, burning them… I still can’t believe it; do we really have a government?" she said.

“Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dreams have been fulfilled. We have been able to save the Bengal that was going to turn into Western Bangladesh. We are able to save it. This is an unreal feeling," she added.

ALSO READ: Beyond Victory: Suvendu Adhikari At Helm, BJP’s Bengal Litmus Test Begins

Paul accused Mamata Banerjee and her TMC of engaging in appeasement politics for the “Jamaat and the Muslim community."

“It is a blessing that it did not happen, and Bengal did not turn into Bangladesh, or else everything, from our language to culture, would have been Islamised. Today, Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s soul would be very happy. Over 321 BJP workers who were brutally beaten, raped and killed today, even their souls must have found peace," she added.

The high-profile swearing-in ceremony took place at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several senior leaders of the NDA attended the event.

The oath-taking ceremony coincided with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced Adhikari’s name before party workers and legislators, stating that the BJP legislature party had unanimously chosen him to lead the new government in Bengal.

The swearing-in caps a stunning electoral victory for the BJP, sweeping 207 seats, while the TMC was reduced to 80 seats.

(with inputs from agencies)

News india BJP Saved Bengal From Turning Into 'Western Bangladesh', Says Newly Sworn-In Minister Agnimitra Paul

Read More